The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that more than half a million elderly persons are maltreated each year. The number may be three times that high. Few of these cases are reported or investigated.
Nearly half of all reported cases involved physical neglect and children and other relatives of the elderly were the most common perpetrators. Three of four who are abused are considered frail - unable to care for or protect themselves.
Persons over 80 were more likely to be abused than those in their 60s or 70s. The vast majority of reported elder abuse occurs at home and it is rare in nursing homes or retirement homes.
There is no common pattern of elder abuse. It can happen in numerous ways and for many reasons. The important thing is to recognize and stop it.
What Abuse Means
- Neglect is when a caretaker fails to provide the goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm or mental anguish. It can include withholding food, medical care, or abandonment. Watch for:
- Sunken eyes or rapid weight loss
- Extreme thirst
- Bedsores
- Physical Abuse is the willful infliction of pain or injury. It can be hitting, slapping, bruising, sexually molesting, or restraining. Watch for:
- Bruises or grip marks around the arms or neck
- Rope marks or welts on the wrists or ankles
- Repeated unexplained injuries
- Unwillingness to discuss injuries
- Refusal to go to the same emergency room or doctor for repeated injuries
- Psychological Abuse is inflicting mental or emotional anguish through humiliation, intimidation, or threatening. Watch for:
- Uncommunicative and unresponsive
- Unreasonably fearful or suspicious
- Lack of interest in social contacts
- Chronic physical or psychiatric health problems
- Evasiveness
- Sexual Abuse is forcing non-consensual sexual contact of any kind. Watch for:
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn or bloody underwear
- Bruised breasts
- Venereal diseases or vaginal infections
- Financial Exploitation is the improper use of an older person's resources, with or without their consent, for someone else's benefit. Watch for:
- Life circumstances not matching size of estate or known bank account
- Large withdrawals from bank or retirement accounts, switching accounts, or large ATM withdrawals
- Signatures on checks don't match elder's signature
All 50 states have legislation to protect the elderly, but the laws can only be enforced when the abuse is detected.
If You Know of Abuse …
If you observe or suspect elder abuse, report it to the police or Adult Protective Services, or contact the National Center on Elder Abuse, a part of the U.S. Department on Aging. |
